Thursday 21 May 2020

Re-boot

Fiesta time again

20 May
St Lydia

21 May
Saints Konstantinos and Eleni

These are big name days in our family.  Almost a dozen members of the extended family are celebrating, covid-style.

Churches began holding services again last Sunday so there were liturgies last night and this morning.  We didn't go and neither did my sister-in-law who would usually take some Holy bread and sweets because she is one of those celebrating.

Our house, which in years gone by, was been busier than Kings Cross with half of the island staggering through our living room, is quiet.  Not silent but incredibly quiet.  Even the music is low.  K who is number one celebrator, in all meanings of the word, has just three of his closest friends sitting round the table, at reasonable distances, drinking a glass or two of wine and discussing, debating and deliberating.

Even at this late-ish hour K's phone rings every few minutes as friends, relatives, acquaintances, business associates, colleagues, neighbours and friends of neighbours, relatives and business associates phone to wish him 'kronia polla'.  He must have had hundreds of calls today.    This is his hour.

He was up early this morning preparing a leg of lamb for the oven, a great pan of meat and potatoes with lots of lemon and garlic.  I baked some bread, cut up tomatoes for a greek salad, put out a dish of feta cheese and all is well with the world again.

24 comments:

  1. Please add my good wishes to all the others x

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    1. Thanks, I shall tell him. He doesn't read my blog but knows that he stars now and again

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  2. Hello from New Zealand :) I just found your blog and will enjoy following your life in Greece. I've been to many Greek Islands but not Paros. Last year we went to Athens, Crete, Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos. This was our second time to Greece but with the state of world travel now I think any further trip will be on hold for quite awhile!

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    1. Hi Lynda with a y. You haven't been to Paros but have you been to Poros??
      I wonder when world travel will start up again. All my family from NZ had booked to visit this September. They've all cancelled of course and aren't thinking of travelling so far anytime soon

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  3. Haha, I knew I'd make that mistake! Paros, Poros... I remembered there were two similar. No I've not been to either. When we travelled last year our plan was to go to a few more islands but time just didn't allow. My blog is https://mybestlifenz.blogspot.com if you are interested but I don't usually make that public so please (anyone who sees this) don't add it to your sidebar.

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    1. Ha ha I wondered if you knew there were two similar. But you did. Poros is very close to Athens but not good for island hopping so it's often left out.
      I'll definitely look up your blog.

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  4. Please give K my good wishes as well. I must say the lamb and all the trimmings sounds wonderful.

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    1. The lamb was tender and full of flavour. They demolished it. Thanks Susan

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  5. I wouldn't expect you to celebrate in any other way! Lamb, Greek salad, plenty of wine. Perfect. My best wishes to K.

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    1. I think he just enjoyed the company after such a long time away from people. There was a lot of wine consumed too. The best of days. Thanks Cro

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  6. I wish I had a K in my life if he's willing to do all that cooking:)
    Best wishes to him- hope he has/had a great day!

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    1. He cooks all the lamb, anything remotely 'nasty' and most of the fish. Its fine by me too!
      He had the best of days. Thanks Cathy

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  7. Day late but Chronia Polla to K. Yes the celebrations were muted all round, so many fewer people carrying those boxes of sweets about. Do you have a name day?

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    1. I celebrate now on May 20 with my grandaughter Lydia. Lydia was the closest greek name to Linda so we share a name day but not exactly a name.
      May 20 ands 21 my daughter,
      2 grandaughters, husband and his sister all have name days. And that's without out the others in the wider family.

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  8. You have some great friends on your island.

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    1. K is an extremely social person and will greet half the island just going down to shop. He helps out where he can and people remember and acknowledge

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  9. And everyone feels alive, again!!!!!

    Open up!
    In my country.
    With masks/distancing.
    Compromised people,
    Stay home!
    πŸŒΈπŸ’™πŸŒΈπŸ’™πŸŒΈπŸ’™πŸŒΈπŸ’™

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    1. Yes, there is a feeling that life will get better. For all of us

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  10. Yes. Many people are realising that the simple things are the best. Family friends getting together and having a few drinks and some yummy food.
    Can’t put a price on that
    Xronia polla to all in your family who have names days

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    1. Thanks Angela. All the best to your family

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  11. I didn't know what chronia polla meant, now I can add that to all the other Greek info I am amassing, haha. Happy name day to K, sounds like y'all had a great feast!

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    1. Kronia polla is used for just about any celebration from personal to countrywide. Basically it means many years, many happy returns.

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  12. Sounds like a nice, semi-quiet, relaxing day and very yummy food too. Happy name day to K.

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    1. Semi quiet lol. Greeks are never quiet but it was just four men yacking that evening and enjoying company!

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